Updated: Aug 1
This is a preview to my full article on the NCCE blog: “AI Literacy in Action: The Core Curriculum Connection.”
What if teaching artificial intelligence (AI) literacy didn’t have to be “one more thing”? What if it could seamlessly fit into the curriculum you’re already teaching?
The truth is: AI is made by humans, and its inner workings are deeply connected to core subjects like math, science, and ELA. AI literacy isn’t about handing students chatbots—it’s about helping them understand how AI works, how it impacts their lives, and how to use it responsibly.
Good news: It’s easier than you think.
There are free, easy-to-use tools that help students grasp AI fundamentals while reinforcing the content you’re already teaching. No logins. No extra prep. Just engaging, curriculum-aligned experiences.
Before using AI tools in your classroom, confirm that they comply with your local, state, and federal policies—and never enter personal, confidential, or sensitive information into an AI model. Use my Navigating AI: Educator’s Rules of Thumb infographic as a guide, and check out my Demystifying AI: Essentials for Educators webinar with NCCE for foundational tips.
Activity 1: Quick, Draw!
Quick, Draw! is a fast-paced doodling game where you draw an object in 20 seconds while an AI tries to guess what you are drawing; it’s like Pictionary with an AI. However, in the case of Quick, Draw!, it is more than a game—it’s a lesson in how AI works.
Connections to core content:
- Math: AI uses pattern recognition to make its predictions—hello, math connections!
- ELA and Social Studies: Explore bias in training data. Why are most of the “alarm clocks” analog and not digital? What does that say about the training data?
Activity 2: Teachable Machine
With Teachable Machine, students build their own AI model using images, sounds, or body poses. No code or account required.
Core subject tie-ins:
- Science: Train AI to identify rocks, plants, or animals and discuss geographic bias.
- Math: Graph the model’s accuracy, track predictions and errors.
- Health & Performing Arts: Train AI to recognize athletic or dance poses and proper form.
Bonus Activity
There’s a third activity (and more tips and ideas!) waiting in my full blog post with NCCE:
Bottom Line: AI Literacy Belongs in Every Classroom
In an AI-powered world, AI literacy belongs in every classroom. Whether you’re teaching kindergarten patterns or AP Statistics, these concepts naturally support core learning—and prepare students for the world ahead.
